Plaza beauty off to state final

SIX glamourous women have starred in Coffs Harbour, winning through to the NSW Final of Miss Universe Australia.

Joining the regional NSW beauties is Coffs Coast local Jessica Portsmouth, who lit up the catwalk in the company of 2010 Miss Universe Australia Jesinta Campbell.

Jessica, who works at Park Beach Plaza's Telstra Shop, will now step up her quest of winning the beauty pageant in Sydney next month.

The 18-year-old beauty will also serve as the Coffs Harbour Racing Club's 2011 VB Gold Cup ‘Face of the Carnival'.

The Coffs Harbour Miss Universe Australia preliminary at Park Beach Plaza culminated in the VIP gala judging before 500 people on Friday night.

Joining Jessica at the state final are fellow entrants Lauren Mitchell, Maxine Stokes, Becky Lamb, Melinda Turner and Debra Ades.

“The standard of entrants in this preliminary were very impressive, including the local girls and especially with Jessica Portsmouth being so local that she even works at Park Beach Plaza,” Miss Universe Australia national event and marketing manager Paris Ogden said.

“The finalists were judged on swimwear, evening wear and the personality question, which all six winners did with great confidence impressing the judging panel,” she said.

Park Beach Plaza marketing manager Caroline Bleechmore said local event organisers were thrilled to see Jessica win the racing club title.